Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded after being caught joking with a senior US diplomat about “halving” the recently revealed $400 million police cooperation deal with Pacific nations.
The Pacific Policing Initiative, an Australian-funded policing plan to be implemented over the next five years, was endorsed on Wednesday by Pacific leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum.
Key elements of the initiative include multinational police units, four training centres across the region and a coordination centre based in Brisbane.
Mr Albanese was chatting informally with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on the sidelines of the PIF when he made the comments, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at international diplomacy.
“Well, today we had great success in getting the Pacific Policing Initiative passed,” the Prime Minister said.
“It’s very important. It will make a big difference.”
Mr. Campbell, a senior Biden administration official, praised the PPI, calling it “fantastic” and “great.”
“I’ve spoken to Kevin about this,” he said, referring to Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd.
The Australian Prime Minister was chatting informally with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell (pictured) on the sidelines of the PIF when he made the comments, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at international diplomacy.
The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), an Australian-funded policing plan to be implemented over the next five years, was endorsed on Wednesday by Pacific leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum.
‘So we knew we were going to do something, but he asked us not to, so we didn’t.
“We’ve given you the lane, so take it.”
“You can split the cost in half if you want,” Albanese replied with a laugh and a pat on the back, which elicited a chuckle from the American official.
“It will just cost you… a little,” he added.
The video was recorded by New Zealand journalist Lydia Lewis and posted on social media.
At the end of the recording, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy reprimanded the journalist for filming the exchange: “Oh come on, Lydia!”
On Thursday morning, Albanese accused the New Zealand journalist of behaving unethically and filming him without his consent.
“It was a private conversation, a jovial and friendly conversation,” Albanese said, describing Campbell as a “friend of mine.”
“The video is what it is: whoever made it should think about their own ethics when it comes to journalism.”
He added: “I myself, if I were a journalist, would not do that and I know that most of you would not do it either.”
RNZ news director Mark Stevens told Daily Mail Australia that the company “stands by its journalist and its reporting”.
“After speaking with our reporter, there is nothing to suggest they acted unethically or outside of our rigorous editorial policies,” Stevens said.
Pacific leaders have hailed the PPI as a show of unity and shared responsibility, and it is a major strategic win for Canberra as it confronts China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
